Electric relay



Dec. 16, 194,1. B. czooPr-:R

ELECTRIC RELAY Filed sept. 1, 197,8

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BENJAM N COO PE R ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Shea#l 2 B. COOPER ELECTRIC RELAY Filed Sept. l, 1938 nw us, 1941.

Patented Dec. 1.6, `179461 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC RELAY l Benjamin Cooper, New York, N. Y.

Application September 1, 1938, Serial No. 228,013

(Cl. Mii- 104) Claims.

This invention relates to electric relays and more particularly to relays of the quick acting type, which are adapted to be actuated by an alternating current.

In relay switch the objectionable feature in many cases is the comparatively large amount of energy necessary to obtain a proper operation. In small switching type relays, the objectionable feature is the spring carried contacts which lose their set or tension, and thereby fail to close. Furthermore, the contacts are not generally mounted in a position accessible or visible for y adjustment or replacement, nor are the parts constructed so as to be easily assembled. It has been found objectionable to have contacts acting in the same plane with their mounting because vibrations from other apparatus; such as circuit breakers, cause temporary opening of the contact points. The front contact pressure of most relays is desirably controlled by the solenoid, while the back` contact pressure is generally low because of its dependence upon gravity, consequently giving an unequal back and front contact pressure.

It is the object of this invention to provide a relay switch which will operate on a' comparatively low energy consumption and still produce a positive operation which will be compact in structure, efiicient in operation, constructed of easily assembled parts, and have the contact points readily accessible and visible with a means of connecting conductors at the frontv of relay.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a relay which is operated on alternating current and has an armature so mechanically balanced and guided as to give a proper seating of the armature poles against the magnetic core poles. making it comparatively silent.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a relay of the floating contact type having provision for a plurality of contacts in which any combination may be obtained.

A further object is to cause the back contact pressure and the front contact pressure to be substantially equal.

A still further object is to use oating contacts in a relay of low power consumption so that the current is not carried by any spring members.

Other objects and characteristic features of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference numerals are applied to the same parts in the several figures, and in which- Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a relay switch constituting one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section of the switch shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4i is a partial side elevational view illustrating the switch in actuated position;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating the armatures slidable bearing support;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting panel contact;l

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the rotatable armature pin;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of therrelay switch; andl Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken online 8 6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1, i0 indicates a supporting member here shown as a mounting plate of any suitable form, upon which an upper preformed supporting member II is attached by welding or bolting. The preformed member I I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and '7, has a nat top IIA with a narrow back portion IIB and a broadened front portion IIC. At each corner of the broadened front portion are right angularly disposed, downwardly bent lugs I5 and I6; and extending in the same plane as the top portion IIA, but beyond the plane of the lugs I5 and I6, and being centrally disposed, is a flat tongue member I1 having a hole I8 therein. Extending downwardly from the back portion IIB, are two sides IID and IIE formed with rearwardly projecting side bracketsy IIF and IIG respectively, fixed to the mounting plate Iii in any suitable manner.

Fixed to the lower end of plate III is a lower I.

supporting bracket I2, substantially U-shaped in general contour. The same has two rearwardly extending legs I3 and i4 with inwardly turned ends IS and 20 which are suitably attached to the mounting plate I0, as by weldingvor bolting. The forward portion of legs I3 and Il have downwardly projecting pivot shaft bearing 22 and 2l, of Fig. 1. Centrally positioned on the U- shaped bracket I2 and extending from the lower edge thereof and right angularly disposed, are two flat tongues 49 and 5l so spaced from each other in the same plane as to form an open slot bearing 55.

A vertically disposed contact mounting plate 2 I, constructed of insulating material such as Bakelite," slate or the like, is suitably secured to the tabs I5 and i6 of the upper preformed supporting member I I, and to the central portion of the lower supporting bracket I2, as shown in Fig. 1. A U-shaped magnetic core 23, built up to the desired thickness out of laminations, and having downwardly projecting legs 24 and 25. is suspended downwardly from, and suitably supported between the side walls IID and IIE of the upper preformed supporting member I I, as shown in Fig. 2. Upon the leg 24 of the U-shaped magnetic core 23, is mounted a coil 26, as shown in Fig. 2, having two free terminal leads 21 and 28. A built-up laminated U-'shaped armature 36, Fig. 2 having upwardly extending legs 3l and 32,V is similar to the U-shaped magnetic corej23 with the exception of outer laminate 33 and 34 of the one leg 32. The outer laminate 33 and 34, Fig. 4, are both extended further than the other laminations and so formed with inwardly bent edges 35 and 36, Fig. 4, at the ends of the extended laminate, that they form a bearingl 58 which is slidable on the leg 25 of the magnetic core 23. The leg 3| of the armature 36 is inserted in the lower open center of the'magnetic coil 26, thus aligning the armature 30 with the magnetic core 23.

Secured to the contact mounting panel 2|, Fig. 1, in xed vertical spaced relationr to each other, and spaced from opposite sides of said panel, are two sets of contacts 56 and 51 respectively. The contact set 56 consists of two co-acting pairs of contacts `31-38 and 39-46; the contact set 51 likewise consisting of two co-acting pairs of contacts [EI-62 and 43-44. The mounting panel contacts are all similar in construction being formed of a punching 45, Fig. 5, having a. flat stem portion 46, one end thereof being punched with a hole 41 to receive a contact point 46 which is riveted in place, the opposite end of the at punching 45 is formed with a stem 58 having a key or washer locking slot I therein. Extending at right angles from the fiat punching 45 and in opposite relation to the contact point 48 is a conductor terminal 52, adapted to receive a terminal connecting screw 53.

Disposed vertically to said panel 2l and intermediate its width is a pull bar 60, of insulation,

Figs 1 and 2, slidably mounted in the opening I8 of the iat tongue I1 of the upper supporting bracket I2, and slidably retained in the lower slot bearing 55. Mounted intermediate the length of pull bar 68, but in denite spaced relation, are strips of conducting material 6I, 62, 63, and 64, which are resiliently mounted intermediate their ends on said pull bar. Contact points 65, Fig. 2, are secured to the end portions of the strip 6I, 62, 63, and 64, and aligning with the stationary contact sets 56 and 51. Each of the contact strips 6I, 62, 63, and 64 are, individually sup- Vis likewise yieldably held by the springV 68 against the stop member 13 on the pull bar 68, spring 68 being retained in position by the stop member 12. 'Ihe contact strip 63 is yieldably held by the spring 69 against the stop member 14, and the contact strip 64 is yieldably held by the spring against the stop member 15, all positioned about the .pull bar 60. A stop member 11, Figs. 2 and 3, is pinned or otherwise aixed to the pull Y bar 60. A strong spring 18 is positioned aboutv the pull bar 60 and held in position by a washer 19. resting on the open slot bearing 551and is retained in position by the stop member 11. It will be apparent that the force of the strong spring 18 will tend to push the pull bar 60 upwardly.

A lever member is`pivotally supported by La pin 83 to the pivot shaft bearings 22 and 29 of the supporting bracket I2, Fig.` 1. The lever member 80 Fig. 2, has a pair of forwardly extending arms 8I, 8l and a. pair of rearwardly extending arms 82, 82. :The `arms 82, 82 are pivotally attached to. the lower portion of the U-shaped laminated armature 30 by a rotatable pin 85, Fig. 2, having flat segments 86,'Figs. 2 and 6, which are slidably inserted in slots 81 of the extending arms '82, 82 of the lever member 80.

When the armature 30is moved upwardly, the rotatable pin .85, mounted therein, will be moved with it in its upward movement. The pin 85, having the at segment ends 86 mounted in slots 81 of the lever 88, will pivotally actuate the lever, the arm 82 being lifted and the pin 85, by means of its slidable ends 86 allowing the armature 38 to retain its centrally aligned position, the lever pivoting about the point 83 causing the arm BI of the lever to be moved downwardly, and the pull rod 6I) is moved downwardly with the arm 8| of the lever 80 by its connecting pivotal pin 84. When the pull rod 60, Fig. 3, moves downwardly, the stop shoulders 14 and 15, Fig. 3, will carry the contact strips 63 and 64 downwardly against the action of the spring 68 and 10 respectively, and so disengage contact strip 64 from the fixed contacts 48 and 44 respectively, and disengaging contact strip 63 from the iixed contacts 39 and 43 respectively. In the same manner the stop shoulders 12 and 13, Fig, 3, will be moved downwardly, the yieldably mounted contact strips 6I and 62 moving downwardly with the force of the springs 61 and 68 respectively, and seating the contact points 65 of the contact strip 6I against the fixed contacts 31 and 4I respectively, and seating the contact points 65 of the contact strip 62 against the xed contacts 38 and 42 respectively.

It will be readily apparent that when the circuit through the coil 26 is broken, that the magnetic circuit will also be broken and the armature 30 will not be held in an operative position, and the compression spring 18, which is exerting a force in an opposite direction, Will cause the push rod 60 to be moved upwardly and carry the ailxed stop shoulders with it. The movement of the rod 68 upwardly will cause the contact strips 6I and 62 to be disengaged from contacts 31-4I, 'and 38-42 respectively, likewise the upward movement of rod 60 will release contact strips 63 and 64 and allow them to engage contacts 39-43, and 40-44 respectively. While pull rod 60 is moving upwardly underA the influence of the spring V18, the pivotal lever 86, which is connected at 84 to the rod 60, will pull the armature36 away from the magnetic core 23, resetting the device and preparing it for the next cycle of operation.

It is easily understood that the magnetic ux created in the core 23 by the current through the coil 26 creates a magnetic circuit which passes through the armature 30 to complete its path.

The density of this magnetic flux is necessarily greatest at or near the poles of the magnetic core.4 Therefore, to take advantage of the greatgaging position with the core. resulting in a quick movement of the pull rod 60.

tion thereto, a U-shaped core nxed to said plate `and disposed between said plate and said panel,

a coil on one arm of said core forenergizing said core, a U-shaped armature having one arm in said coil and the other arm lslidably engaging the other arm of said core, a lever pivoted relative to said plate, means connecting said lever to said armature, a plurality of stationary con- The quick movement of the pull rod, alf though moving the contacts quickly, will allow the contact points, by means of their individual loose spring pressed mountings, to find a yproper alignment within certain confinements.

Due to the comparatively large cross' section of the core 23, a rather high magnetic ux can be generated in the armature by a comparatively weak alternating current through the coil 26. It should be understood that having an armature that is mounted in a more or less iloating position and movable through a small space, the movement of the armature will be immediate under the influence of the great magnetic iiux density produced.

Because of the small air gap between opposite poles, it becomes essential to obtain a balancing of the armature so that the opposite poles of the magnetic core and the opposite poles of the armature close and release evenly to prevent sticking of the armature.

To obtain a mechanical centralizing force on the armature 30, it is necessary to position the rotatable pin 85 midway of the U-shaped armature, and confine the opposite poles sufficiently in alignment with the magnetic core 23 by the bearing 31 and the coil center opening which acts as a bearing. It is then apparent that the armature pole tips cannot assume a position either nearest to one or the other pole tips of the core, because the pull of the restoring spring is midway of the poles and tends to establish a normal zero position.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many `apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof,

as dened by the following claimsI it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying. drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric relay comprising a supporting member, a contact mounting panel ofl insulation mounted on said supporting member, in spaced opposed relation thereto, a plurality of fixed contacts mounted on the outer face of said panel, a U-shaped core mounted on said supporting member and disposed between said member and said panel, a U-shaped armature'mounted in alignment with said core, a magnetizing coil on an arm of said core for attracting said amature toward said core, guide means on an arm of said armature slidably engaging an arm of said core for aligning said armature with said core during the movement of said armature, a spring restrained pull bar connected to said armature and adapted to be moved thereby, floating contacts mounted on said pull bar and insulated from each other, co-acting with said i'lxed contacts 'to move into and out of engagement therewith when said coil is energized for moving said armature.

2. An electric relay comprising a mounting plate, a panel of insulating material attached to vperpendicular to said panel,

tacts on the outer face of said panel, said contacts being substantially perpendicular to thel mounting plate, an elongated member mounted for sliding movement on the outer side of said panel, means connectingl said member to said lever, contacts on said member parallel tosaid stationary contacts and adapted to move into and out of engagement therewith when said coil is energized for attracting said armature and pivoting said lever to slidably move said elongated member, said U-shaped core and U-shaped armature being disposed in a plane said elongated member being disposed substantially centrally of the panel in the plane of said core and armature, said lever passing through, the plane of said panel.

3. An electric relay comprising a mounting plate, a panel of insulating material attached to l said plate and. disposed in spaced opposed relation thereto, a U-shaped core x'ed to said plate and disposed between said plate and said panel, a coil on one arm of said core for energizing said core, a U-shaped armature having one arm in said coil and the other arm slidably engaging the other arm of said core, the arm of said core within said coil and the arm of said armature within said coil terminating'closer to the center of said coil than to the ends thereof, a lever pivoted relative to said plate, means connecting said lever to said armature, a plurality of stationary contacts on the outer face of said panel, said contacts being substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate, an elongated member mounted for sliding movement on the outer side of said panel, means connecting said member to said lever, contacts on Vsaid member parallel to said stationary contacts and adapted vto move into and out of engagement therewith when said coil'is energized for attracting said armature and pivoting said'lever to slidably move said elongated member, said U-shaped core and U-shaped armaturebeing disposed in a plane y perpendicular to said panel, said elongated memsaid plate and disposedin spaced opposed relaber being disposed substantially centrally of the panel in the plane of said core and armature. said lever passing through 'the plane of said panel.

4. An electric relay comprising a mounting plate, a panel of insulating material attached to said plate and disposed in spaced opposed relation thereto, a U-shaped core fixed to said plate and disposed between said plate and said panel, a coil on one arm of said core for energizing said core, a U-shaped armature having one arm in said coil and the other arm aligned with the other arm of said core, the arm of said core within said coil and the arm of said armature Within said coil terminating closer to the center of said coil than to the ends thereof, said U- shaped core and said U-shaped armature being made of laminations, the two outer laminations of said other arm of the armature extending beyond the ends of the other laminations of said arm, and slidably receiving said other arm of the core, a lever pivoted relative to said plate, means connecting said lever to said armature,

Y U-shaped core and U-shaped armature being disposed in a plane perpendicular to said panel,v

said elongated member being disposed substantially centrally of the panel inthe plane of said coreand armature, said lever passing through ,the plane of said panel.

5. An electric relay comprising a mounting plate, a panel of insulating material attached to said plate and disposed in spaced opposed relation thereto, a U-shaped core xed to said plate and disposed between said plate and said panel, a coil on one arm of said core for energizing said core, a U-shaped amature having one arm in said coil and the other arm aligned withthe other arm of said core, the arm of said core within said coil and the arm of said armature within said coil terminating closer to the center of said coil than to the ends thereof, said U-shaped core and said U-shaped amature being made of laminations, the two outer laminations of said other arm of the armature extending beyond the ends of the otherV laminations of said arm, and slidably receiving said other arm of the core, a lever pivoted relative to said plate, means connecting said lever to said armature substantially midway between the two arms thereof, a plurality of stationary contacts on the outer face of said panel, said contacts being substantially perpendicular to "the mounting plate, an elongated member mounted for sliding movement on the outer side of said panel, means connecting said member to said lever, contacts on said member parallel to said stationary contacts and adapted to move into and out of engagement therewith when said coil is energized for attracting said armature and pivoting said lever to slidably move said elongated member, said U-shaped core and U-shaped armature being disposed substantially in a plane perpendicular to said'panel, said elongated member being disposed centrally of the panel in the plane of said -core and armature, said lever passing "through the plane of said panel.

BENJAMIN COOPER. 

